21 February 2011 - Following aerial bombardment near Sortony, approximately 110km west of El Fasher, North Darfur, yesterday at around 1730hrs, a UNAMID verification patrol is currently underway to nearby villages.

Four armed men threatened a number of UNAMID peacekeepers in Kutum in North Darfur, demanding compensation for camels that died in the vicinity. However, the men soon left, being persuaded to do so after speaking with the Mission’s personnel.

UNAMID continues to evaluate the findings of an assessment mission which set off yesterday to Wadi Mura, North Darfur, the site of several days of fighting and aerial bombing. The team noted that a number of villages were abandoned, and a large number of their inhabitants have moved to Tawilla and Zamzam camps. The Mission will assist with the provision of water to these newly displaced persons and continues to collect information on the scale of the displacement to help better coordinate the delivery of humanitarian aid.

Communication and Public Information Division Media Contacts
Kemal Saïki, Director; saiki@un.org; tel.: +249 (0) 92 244 3529; mobile: +249 (0) 92 241 0020

Mayada Umbadda, Media Relations; umbadda@un.org, mobile: +249 (0)91 250 1966